WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — The Bonnechere Manor Cobden Senior/Adult Day Program said good-bye to 18-month-old Daley and his mom Michelle Dupuis of Cobden at a special Christmas gathering on the final of the Roots of Empathy Intergeneration Program.
This is the second time this program has operated, and the participants enjoy it a lot, said Brenda Robson, recreation programmer.
“Mom and Daley began coming to our program once a month beginning in April 2017 when Daley was six months old,” she recalled. “During this nine-month program our clients enjoyed and looked forward to watching Daley change and grow as he reached many milestones.”
These milestones included crawling, first tooth, feeding himself, walking and all the other special firsts, she explained.
Michelle and Daley’s final visit was Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018 and a Christmas luncheon and farewell party were combined.
“We will miss Michelle and Daley, but are grateful they are not far away and can stop by and visit us,” Ms. Robson said.
This is the second time the BMC Senior/Adult Day Program has ran this program. The first participants were Alyssa Verch and her daughter Evelyn Shank and it was so successful that the clients asked if we could do it again, she said.
“I have no doubt in my mind that they will be asking for it once again so I will be looking for a new mom and baby to participate,” Ms. Robson said.
Daley with Madeline Dejong
Dawn Pigion shares a special moment with Daley. 
Trish Dupuis, grandma to Daley, gets to spend time with him during the program. 
Donna Gorr plants a kiss on Daley. 
Linda Hawthorne and Daley. 
It seems Daley wants to play with Evan Payne.
Michelle Dupuis and Daley have some fun at the Roots of Empathy program.
The final day participants were, from left, Lori Boudreau, program assistant, Doris Fiebeg, Michelle and Daley, Brenda Robson, rec programmer, Linda Hawthorne and Evan Payne. 
Daley. Photos submitted 
Brenda Robson gets a hug from Daley as Linda Hawthorne waits for her hug.
